2017 End of Session Wrap-Up: Employee Benefits & Relations

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s employee benefits advocacy in the 2017 General Assembly.

Follow links for more coverage on Conduit Street and MACo’s Legislative Database.

Teacher Pension Costs

MACo supported successful passage of a bill that addresses the shortfall in funding required to meet the portion of Maryland state teacher pension costs that exceed costs anticipated during the 2012 “pension shift.” MACo joined the Maryland Association of Boards of Education in supporting the State one-time appropriation of $19.7 million to close the gap. House Bill 1109/Senate Bill 1001 was signed into law by the Governor. Bill Information | MACo Coverage

Residency Requirements for County Employees

MACo successfully supported passage of a bill to provide local governments with greater autonomy and flexibility in implementing local policies designed to serve and react to community needs. House Bill 167 has been passed by both chambers and awaits the Governor’s signature. Bill Information | MACo Coverage

Collective Bargaining Mandates

MACo helped stop two collective bargaining mandates that would have increased costs and administration for county governments.

House Bill 1370 mandated a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all design that would expand collective bargaining rights in a third of Maryland’s counties. “Employment Rights for Local Government Employees” did not advance out of committee. Bill Information | MACo Coverage

Senate Bill 305/House Bill 382 “Commonsense Paid Leave Act,” which was part of the Governor’s legislative package, did not advance out of committee in either chamber. Bill Information | MACo Coverage

House Bill 854, a bill targeting at county governments and the benefits they provide to grant-funded employees, received an unfavorable report from the House Economic Matters Committee. Bill Information | MACo Coverage

Minimum Wage

MACo opposed a bill called the “Fight for Fifteen,” which would have raised the statewide minimum wage to $15 by 2023. Counties had concerns that this increase would place a significant fiscal burden on county governments. Senate Bill 962/House Bill 1416 did not advance out of committee in either chamber. Bill Information | MACo Coverage.